Villa.
"Alright, let's move on to the final official evaluation for Kamisato Ayaka — 'The Dance of the White Heron.'"
"The video is a bit long. Please enjoy it slowly~"
With that, Arthur clicked the mouse, and the light-screen began to play.
The scene opened inside Inazuma's Komore Teahouse.
Ayaka had approached the Traveler to ask for a personal favor.
She'd found an old notebook left behind by her late mother while rummaging through old belongings.
Aside from bits of daily trivia, the notebook frequently mentioned someone named Tsubaki.
Hoping to honor this person — possibly a close friend of her mother — Ayaka wanted Lumine to help her prepare a gift.
Inazuma — Kamisato Estate
"Tsubaki?"
"My mother left behind a notebook…?"
Ayaka's face showed genuine surprise.
She had never heard of this before.
The memory of her mother surfaced in her mind — gentle and loving, yet dignified and noble.
"It seems I really need to go through Mother's old things someday…"
The video continued.
As expected of the blonde idiot — the Traveler immediately agreed.
And besides… how could he refuse such an adorable Ayaka?
Thus began a day of shopping: two girls and one floating creature.
They visited Ogura Textiles to commission a kimono based on Tsubaki's design.
Then they went to Kiminami Restaurant to cook a dish Tsubaki had always wanted to try.
Through these little experiences and Ayaka's heartfelt confessions, the two gradually became real friends.
Mondstadt — Outside Springvale
"So there was such a long process before that!"
"No wonder we became friends!"
Lumine finally understood.
If all this really happened in the original future, then helping Ayaka fight the Raiden Shogun afterward…
Yeah, that was reasonable.
After all — for friends, Grandpa Aether is always the most generous!
Paimon suddenly realized something.
"Wait! Don't tell me that the Dance of the White Heron is the dance she wanted to perform for us?"
Lumine's face darkened.
It had been a suspicion before.
Now it looked like the truth.
So she really had to… become Ayaka's dog?
No way!
Not until she saw what the dance looked like!
Her eyes shot toward the light-screen.
The video continued.
After preparing the gifts, Ayaka, Lumine, and Paimon headed toward Tsubaki's residence.
There, they discovered the truth:
Tsubaki was Ayaka's mother herself.
The kimono was something she designed to wear to a festival.
The foreign food was something she always wanted to try.
She wanted to live as "Tsubaki," even for a moment — to experience the life of an ordinary girl.
[Supernatural Chat Group]
Yoimiya: So Tsubaki was actually Lady Ayaka's mother? Didn't expect that!
Paimon: She had a girly side and a responsible side… just like Ayaka!
Kokomi: In a way, her temperament really resembles Ayaka's.
Keqing: People who carry the weight of a clan rarely have time for themselves.
Alice: That's normal! Gaining status means losing freedom. Nobles long for ordinary life; ordinary people long for a life without worries.
Zhongli: By general rational standards, this is indeed the case.
Furina: Identity determines responsibility, after all…
Lumine: Huh? It's rare to see Miss Alice and Furina being serious at the same time.
Alice: Hmph! I'm always serious! Isn't that right, Klee?
Klee: Mm-hmm! Mom is the most serious person in the whole world!
Alice: Hehehe, such a cute daughter~
Venti: Ehe~ I think I already know what comes next.
Nahida: It sounds fun already.
Inazuma — Kamisato Estate
"So Mother was Tsubaki…"
"And she had such wishes too…?"
Ayaka couldn't help feeling stunned.
Just as the video Ayaka said — she never expected her dignified mother to have such a youthful, girlish wish.
Beside her, Ayato watched silently, emotions flickering in his eyes.
Mother's life had been difficult — she only managed to fulfill her small wishes by living under another name.
He didn't want the same thing to happen to his little sister.
If a wish exists, then it should be fulfilled.
He turned to Ayaka, eyes gentle.
"Ayaka, fulfill that wish — Mother's and your own."
"Whether you become the Shirasagi Himegimi, or simply Ayaka the young girl, or even Ayaka the idol — you deserve to experience all of it."
"The Kamisato Clan has me."
"And Inazuma will soon see new light."
"You have nothing to worry about."
"And you have me too, young lady!"
Thoma grinned and raised a fist.
"I hope one day you'll become an idol like Miss Barbara!"
"Brother… Thoma… you two…"
Ayaka froze, stunned by their sincerity.
But only for a moment.
Then she smiled — the kind of smile that could melt snow.
"Mm. I understand."
"I'll live every day without regrets."
The video continued.
Determined to fulfill her mother's longing — and her own — Ayaka invited Lumine, despite Paimon's teasing look.
Lumine happily agreed.
Thus the girl, the Traveler, and the floating food… no, floating companion… headed to Amakane Island.
Night had already fallen when they arrived at the festival.
But late or not, the trio enjoyed everything:
Fox masks, fortunes, delicious food, wish plaques…
Their friendship had never been closer.
But happy times pass quickly.
After writing their final wishes, they returned to Chinju Forest.
The festival had ended.
The moonlit forest glowed like a dream — blue flowers, shimmering mists, and soft starlight.
Beautiful yet fragile, like a glass illusion that would shatter with a touch.
As they walked, Ayaka gazed at the torii gate separating humans from the divine.
Thinking of Inazuma's storms behind her, her joy gradually softened into melancholy.
Happy moments are fleeting.
And family is always the most important thing.
As a friend, she couldn't — and wouldn't — try to make Lumine stay.
Under gentle moonlight, after a brief hesitation, Ayaka spoke.
"Traveler…"
"There's… one more thing I'd like to do."
"If you don't mind… could I borrow a little more of your time?"
Everyone in Teyvat felt their emotions stirred.
Anticipation soared.
Was this finally it?
The Dance of the White Heron?
The video played on.
Right after speaking, Ayaka stepped straight into the stream — shoes and socks still on, completely ignoring her usual elegance.
Lumine and Paimon hurried after her in confusion.
Standing in the water, her back to them, Ayaka let out a soft sigh.
The happiness of the day still lingered in her mind.
She had thought about many things — but in the end, she chose action.
She turned. Lowered her head slightly. Her lashes trembled.
Then she summoned all her courage.
"Please… look at me."
As her voice faded, she began to hum softly.
A fan appeared in her hand, and under the gentle melody, she started to dance.
It was not the dance of a professional.
But it was filled with her purest sincerity.
The innocence of the day.
Her loneliness.
Her joy and bravery.
Her friendship with the Traveler.
All of it wove itself into her movement.
Perhaps because this might be the one moment she gifted everything of herself — the dance was breathtaking.
When the icy blossoms finally faded across the water, the Dance of the White Heron came to a close.
Afterward, Lumine and Ayaka parted ways.
As Ayaka walked away, Lumine and Paimon nodded to each other and headed downhill.
There was one less person than when they'd come up the mountain…
But one soft humming voice more.
The video ended.
It had been nearly an hour long.
No epic battle.
No world-shaking events.
Just a girl's cherished wish —
and a day shared between two girls and a small floating creature.
A day that grew into real friendship.
And with Ayaka's final dance in the moonlit forest… their bond reached its most beautiful peak.
It was simple.
Human.
And it moved everyone.
[Normal Chat Group]
Ogura Mio: I never expected Lady Ayaka to have such a side!
Kiminami Anna: She's lucky to have a friend like the Traveler.
Nanako: The final dance was so beautiful! My heart skipped a beat!
Tepei: If she stood on stage, she might become an idol like Miss Barbara.
Albert: Even as a Barbara fan… that dance was truly beautiful.
Sister Victoria: Barbara told me Ayaka agreed to join Miss Alice's "Teyvat Idol Project." Along with Nilou from Sumeru and Furina from Fontaine.
Sedena: Amazing! I can't wait for their performances!
Iron Tongue Tian: Why is there no one from Liyue?
Master Mao: Yeah! What about Yun Jin, Lady Keqing, or Miss Ganyu?
Uncle Tian: Yun Jin's style might not fit… as for the other two…
Mondstadt — Outside Springvale
"Whoa— Ayaka dances WAY better than I imagined!"
"I LOVE IT!"
Lumine was absolutely thrilled.
Even though she'd expected something nice… this completely exceeded expectations.
It was too good.
Paimon nodded enthusiastically like a pecking chick.
If she could, she'd replace the Paimon in the video just to see the dance in person.
Seeing Lumine's smug expression, she tried to hold back…
but couldn't.
"Hehehe… didn't someone say that if Ayaka danced for her—"
"—she'd become Ayaka's dog?"
"Yup! Sure did!"
Lumine nodded without hesitation.
Paimon was stunned.
After a long blink, she whispered:
"Then… you…"
But Lumine placed her hands on her hips, smiling slyly.
"She danced for my future self."
"Not for Grandpa Lumine."
"So there's no conflict!"
"Wha—?!"
"You can do THAT??!"
Paimon stared wide-eyed.
Good lord.
As expected of her!
Scummy Lumine strikes again!
Inazuma — Kamisato Estate
"So that is the Dance of the White Heron…"
"Lady Ayaka danced beautifully!"
Thoma was full of admiration.
As expected of the Kamisato heiress.
Give her time and she'd shine like Barbara herself.
Ayato nodded slightly.
Watching the girl in the video, he couldn't hide the tenderness in his eyes.
He could tell Ayaka truly enjoyed herself that day.
Which further strengthened his resolve:
His sister deserved to live freely and happily.
The Kamisato Clan would be carried by him.
Ayaka herself—
She deserved to shine.
Ayaka, meanwhile, stared at the fading video.
"So that's me… in a future that never happened?"
Curiosity.
Aspiration.
Hope.
That future Ayaka was braver, more decisive.
But she wasn't jealous — she understood now.
She could become someone even better.
After a moment, she murmured:
"My future self… must have been really good friends with the Traveler."
"If not, I would've never danced like that."
Ayato agreed.
"The Traveler is indeed a good person."
"We wronged her in the original future. If she ever visits Inazuma now, we must make up for it."
Ayaka was stunned…
Then she squinted playfully.
"Not worried I'll get too close to her?"
Ayato chuckled — a rare playful smile.
"I was wary of the Fatui Harbingers."
"Not the Traveler."
The room filled with warm laughter.
[Supernatural Chat Group]
Yoimiya: Now I get it! Truly 'stunning' like the light-screen said!
Kokomi: Cold moon over the forest… frost dancing through the snow. Even as a woman, I understand the phrase 'the one by the water's edge.'
Zhongli: Joy without excess, sorrow without harm.
Venti: A fleeting blossom — proof of their friendship!
Itto: You guys are too poetic. The Great 0.7 Arataki Itto doesn't get it, but it looked awesome! Can't describe it with words!
Itto: If I HAD to describe it… it's like legendary beef stew!
Kuki Shinobu: Boss… the beef stew really kills the mood…
Nilou: Lady Ayaka's dancing is wonderful! This is the second truly "official" video after Miss Barbara!
Alice: Hehe~ No surprise! I chose my idol well!
Yun Jin: But did you notice? It's different from Barbara's stage performance.
Furina: One performs for the whole world. The other performs for someone dear. Both beautiful in different ways.
Navia: As expected of Lady Furina!
Furina: Ahahaha! Of course! I AM Fontaine's most beloved superstar!
Yae Miko: Little Traveler~ Ayaka danced all this just for you. Why not stay in Inazuma and be her bestie? Forget your brother~ (smirk)
Some Abyss Base — Mondstadt
Lumine stared blankly.
What kind of fox was this?
Who taught someone else's sister such dangerous lines?!
Whose shrine maiden was this?!
Please come collect her!!
[Supernatural Chat Group]
Lumine: Makes sense! Hehe~ Once Grandpa finds out where Aether is and confirms he's safe, I'm not going to care anymore!
Venti: How shameless! Inazuma is using Lady Ayaka as a "weapon"! (angry.jpg)
Alice: I finally understand why the Traveler got pulled into Inazuma's political whirlpool.
Alice: It's not her fault she drew her sword on the Raiden Shogun — Ayaka's dance was just too enchanting!
Furina: Ah, I get it! Grandpa Lumine was seduced by beauty!
Paimon: Oho! I'm Kamisato Ayaka's dog~
Lumine: STOP!
Lumine: First — Grandpa's preferences are normal!
Second — Ayaka's dance IS really pretty! Hehe~
Paimon: True! I hope we get to see it in person someday!
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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